Propacetamol is a
prodrug form of
paracetamol which is formed from
esterification
In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides ar ...
of paracetamol, and the
carboxylic acid diethylglycine. This has the advantage of making it more water-soluble. It is used in post-operative care and is delivered by
I.V. It is given if the patient is unable to take oral or rectally delivered paracetamol and
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are contraindicated. The onset of analgesia from propacetamol is more rapid than paracetamol given orally.
2 grams of propacetamol are equivalent to 1g of paracetamol.
See also
*
Paracetamol
References
Acetanilides
Phenol ethers
Carboxylate esters
Diethylamino compounds
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